An inmate in one of the triple tier bunks in a gymnasium converted to house prisoners at the California Substance Abuse Treatment Facility and State Prison in Corcoran, Calif., Jan. 14, 2009. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)

(Newser)
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A panel of federal judges ruled yesterday that overcrowding in California's 33 prisons—158,00 inmates in space meant for 84,000—poses a threat to inmate health. The court tentatively required the state to reduce the prison population by up to 57,000, the LA Times reports. The governor’s corrections secretary says the ruling “poses a significant threat to public safety.”

The order is not yet final, and the state plans an appeal. However, inmates triple-bunked in prison gyms, and doctor, nurse, and guard shortages don't paint a pretty picture for the state. Should the ruling be upheld, the state would likely have 2 to 3 years to carry it out through methods like giving prisoners more time off for good behavior and limiting new admissions.

I think this early release program should be implemented soon as possible. There are inmates who have worked hard to make drastic changes in their lives. Many inmates show remorse for their crimes. I think the inmates who are incarcerated on their first offense, non-viloent crimes, need their sentences to be reviewed & cleared for early releases. There are inmates who have obtained a GED or High School Diploma while incarcerated. They have good clean prison records showing they are not a threat to anyone society deems so. Physchiatrists should recommend these good inmates for early release. The counselors are getting paid to help inmates prepare for their releases. They can & should write immediate recommendations to those they know will do great back in our society. Rehab is a necessity & many inmates have rehabilitated themselves. How many times do we see a good inmate be released & make his world outside a whole different story ? One we should be proud of & stand beside to help him/her. We can cut down on our recidivism rate go down with the right help. If good prisoners work hard to make good changes to themselves, attitudes, then they deserve their second chance. I also think, those of us who know inmates personally, that we need to get character references for them. We can help speed up their possible release. I know 2 inmates personally & I can say with no reservations they are ready to be introduced back into society. I am working with them for this to happen. Judging a book by its cover isn't always a good thing. Non-violent crimes have been restituted. I think people are over reacting about giving early releases to good inmates. Folks should put themselves into the inmates shoes. Let Governor Schwarztenegger get the reviews cleared. He should have the Parole Board members go into the prisons to interview inmates who have proven they have been rehabilitated. Everone deserves a second chance to redeem themselves. Have a very blessed week, folks. God will let the right people out of these prisons in perfect timing. People need to stop panicking & stop becoming hysterical.